Changemaker Legal
Application for 2025 - 2026
Cohort Program
Changemaker Legal is a nonprofit firm providing free and low-cost direct legal guidance and advisory support to grassroots nonprofits and social enterprises. It is dedicated to putting ongoing legal counsel and management guidance within reach of changemakers who combat inequity and transform society. Changemaker Legal’s inaugural program will provide tailored assistance, including legal advice, business planning guidance, and access to resources for DC-based changemakers. Program participants will attend workshops on topics such as organizational governance, intellectual property, contract drafting and negotiation, and data protection and privacy.
Program participation includes the following activities from July 2025 to July 2026:
● At least 2 hours per month of legal services,
● At least 1 hour per month of business advising,
● Workshops led by industry experts, and
● Networking and relationship-building opportunities.
We anticipate participants will commit about four to eight hours per month to the above programming.
All of the above programming will be offered for free during the program year. Program participants may purchase additional legal services from Changemaker Legal during or after their participation in the program at under-market rates.
Please complete the following application to apply for the program by April 15th. Selected applicants will be notified by May 15th. If you have any questions or need assistance with this application, please contact us at 202-992-5116 or info@changemakerlegal.org.
Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis; preference will be given to early applicants.
Organizational Information
Type of Entity (select one):*
How Do You Identify? (click all that apply to you and, if applicable, your co-founders)
Do you have any existing legal, business, or accounting support?*
What kinds of legal assistance would be most helpful to you? Select 5.*
What kinds of business/administrative assistance would be most helpful to you? Select 5.*
Authorization, Release, and Certification
I hereby authorize Changemaker Legal and its directors and officers to verify and make copies of any information provided in this application in the course of determining eligibility for the program. I hereby release any person or entity complying with this authorization from any claims relating to the disclosure of any such information and documents. A copy of this authorization shall be as valid as the original.
By signing below, I certify that the information provided in this application is true and accurate to the best of my knowledge. I understand that participation in this program may involve regular communication and cooperation with Changemaker Legal, including approximately four to eight hours per month of program participation.